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Chicago, IL

Contact

Location Chicago, Illinois
Coordinator Jack O'Donnell
Email JODonnell@WorldComputerExchange.org
Drop-Off 9717 S. Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60643

Status

Accepting Drop-offs  eMail the above address prior to dropping-off computers.  We also have a way for you to drop-off computers on specific dates at  the temporary WCE Chicago Chapter's refrubishement center at 1805 West 95th Street.  This is directly across from the 95th Street Beverly LIne Metra Station. 

We can often arrange pick-ups for amounts that are more than 8 sets.

We have not yet set the next testing date - so if you are interested in volunteering please drop Jack an e-mail at the address above.

News

WCE filled a third container of 200 computers from WCE Chicago in early June 2010.  This shipment went to 15 schools with 3,000 students in Piedras Negras, Mexico.  The computers were all refurbished and loaded with the Spanish versions of the Ubuntu operating system and Open Office.  This was WCE's 5th shipment to Mexico - all have involved Rotary Clubs.  WCE is looking for 3 or 4 schools with Spanish classes to connect with some of these schools.  This was the first shipment benefiting from one of the Strategic Group’s challenge grants.  The computers were Sponsored by SAN LUIS Rassini that has a factory in the area.  This company also donated the shipping and has had their technology staff visiting each of the schools to prepare them for the arrival of the computers.  Donations for this shipment came from Walgreens, Kankakee Community College, the University of Chicago School of Public Policy, Turner Construction, the Youth Technology Corps Program and a major bank that wishes to stay anonymous.  We are grateful for your continued support. 

In October of 2009, the second container of 191 computers from WCE Chicago went to Senegal to help connect 17 schools with 10,400 students assisted by Peace Corps Volunteers.  The computers were all loaded with the French versions of the Ubuntu operating system and Open Office.  This was WCE's 2nd shipment to Senegal - both have involved Peace Corps.  In this shipment, the Embassy of the USA was the consignee of the container and Peace Corps vehicles delivered the computers to the villages.

In April of 2008, 20 volunteers from the Chicago area filled a 40-foot container with 400 computer sets to go to connect 13 schools with 5,000 students of the Archdiocese of Kaduna, Nigeria.  The WCE Chicago volunteers gathered and tested computers for this shipment.  We also sourced some of the needed computers from recycler PCRR of Chicago.

One of the WCE Chicago volunteers, Joe Kennedy, was part of the the WCE eCorps team of 11 tech professionals who visited Nigeria in August 2008 to help train and network schools in Kaduna.  You can see a story about this on our home page.

Listen to story about WCE on WBBM Radio

Environment

We test all monitors and computers that we receive.  The Linux operating system (currently Ubuntu 10.04) is installed in the local language.  The first step of this process wipes the hard drive.  Even though we only accept working equipment we end up receiving nonworking units.  If possible we refurbish these units.  About 85% of the computers and peripherals that we receive are sent as tested working units to classrooms overseas for reuse.  When refurbishing is not possible we strip the machines for parts (HDD, RAM,drive, power supplies, video cards) for future reuse.  ALL left over e-scarp from computers,dead monitors and nonworking peripherals are sent for recycling.  We currently work with the Beverly Unitarian Church which runs quarterly e-recycling events with a vetted recycler.  Prior to recycling our dead computers, it is broken into components (motherboards, unusable power supplies CD drives etc). Dead hard drives are pulverized with a hammer before they are sent for recycling.   Stripped metal cases are recycled separately. See attached pics.  Nothing is landfilled.

A Volunteer's Perspective

Recently my company participated in a donation drive of used computers in partnership with an organization I am affiliated with, World Computer Exchange.  This is a global organization that provides in-kind gifts and computer donations to the world's underprivileged youth.  Recently Walgreens partnered to donate computers to the children of Senegal.  I am so pleased and wanted to make you aware of how this gift of technology can affect change.  Please see information on this life-changing organization:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlXc6rFufe4

 World Computer Exchange www.WorldComputerExchange.org
"World Computer Exchange is dedicated to helping the world's youth bridge the disturbing global divide in information, communications technology, and trust. We do this by keeping your company's surplus computers out of landfills, giving them new life connecting youth in the world's poorest countries to the Internet..." 

Working through strong organizations in each country together with the local community, provides consulting to nonprofit and government partners in Africa, Asia and Latin America to develop sustainable plans and resources for computer networking, installation, training, provision of materials, and training needed.
[Shortened] List of Responsibilities of WCE partners:

1. Help recruit schools that serve the poor 2. Deliver the computers to the participating schools and centers 3. Ensure schools/centers using computers for poor youth at least six hours of each day 4. Provide community access to the computers (for a fee) outside of the minimum of six free youth hours 5. Help arrange for the maintenance and security of the computers in the schools and centers 6. Help to arrange for the provision and payment of local Internet access and phone service costs 7. Arrange for local press coverage for donating and volunteering companies 8. Help local schools arrange for logistics and homes for WCE student "Internet Ambassadors" 9. Secure on-line reports to WCE by youth of accomplishments, press, partners, and computer inventory twice a year 10. Evaluate the progress at each site annually for three years "

Volunteers

We need volunteers from Chicago to help to accomplish the following five tasks:

  • Raise Sponsorship funds to help WCE Partners with the last 1/3 of the sourcing and shipping costs (this includes Rotary Clubs)
  • Coordinate marketing for public computer donation events, eCorps recruitment, volunteer recruitment, speakers bureau, and press releases for shipments
  • Pick-up, inventory, test and pack donated used computers
  • Recruit eCorps tech volunteers from local universities and community and organize Speakers Bureau and work with local universities and high schools on community service, pairings, interns
  • Recruit, organize and nurture volunteers to help with Chapter & field work including for eWaste, eCorps, and capacity building

 Honor Roll of Donors